Passenger Seat Crash Safety System

ABSTRACT

A safety system for aircraft passenger seats is described. A pallet that can be removably coupled to seats can also be removably coupled to the aircraft floor and one or more brackets, tension fittings, or machined straps that can be coupled to structural beams or components in an aircraft. A keel tension fitting can be attached to a keel beam and then be coupled to the pallet and thereby the seats. By attaching to the keel beam the safety system allows the seating arrangement (pallet and seats) to withstand greater stresses and forces, resulting in increased safety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to aircraft and more particularly toprotective seating for aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Crash safety and protective seating are becoming more important ascommercial aircraft, such as air taxis, become more popular. Safetystandards were recently strengthened by the FAR 29 2018 standards. Forseating arrangements to be acceptable according to safety standards,they must withstand large static loads and occupant dynamic loads.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One possible embodiment of the present disclosure is a seating systemfor an aircraft comprising: a pallet configured to cover at least aportion of an aircraft floor and comprising; one or more receptaclesconfigured to receive an attachment mechanism from a seat; a firstplurality of holes configured for attachment to the aircraft floor by afirst plurality of bolts; and a second plurality of holes configured forattachment by a second plurality of bolts; and a keel tension fittingcomprising; one or more horizontal flanges comprising one or more holesand configured to be coupled to a bottom side of the aircraft floor andto the pallet by the second plurality of bolts; one or more verticalflanges comprising two or more holes and configured to be coupled to akeel beam of the aircraft by a third plurality of bolts.

Another possible embodiment can comprise a passenger seat safety systemfor an aircraft comprising: a pallet configured to be coupled to anaircraft floor and to be coupled to one or more passenger seats, thepallet comprising a first attachment means; and a keel tension fittingconfigured to be coupled to a keel beam of the aircraft and to anunderside of the aircraft floor, the keel tension fitting comprising asecond attachment means configured to be coupled to the first attachmentmeans of the pallet.

Another possible embodiment is a method of securing passenger seats toan aircraft, comprising: coupling a pallet to an aircraft floor, thepallet comprising a plurality of receptacles configured to receive oneor more passenger seats and further comprising a first attachment means;coupling a keel tension fitting to a keel beam of the aircraft and to anunderside of the aircraft floor, the keel tension fitting configured toextend along an edge where the keel tension fitting meets the undersideof the aircraft floor; coupling the keel tension fitting to the palletusing the first attachment means; and coupling the one or more passengerseats to the pallet.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthe invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages will be better understoodfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a method embodiment under the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a seating system under the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a seating embodiment under the presentdisclosure can be seen. Seats 110-140 can attach to pallet 150.Attachment can occur via locks 170 on the bottom of legs 160. Locks 170are preferably detachable and can lever into track 180. Track 180 cancomprise a plurality of openings or attachment spots on a pallet 150.Track 180 preferably includes a plurality of openings for engagementwith locks 170. Seats 110-140 can be locked into place within track 180in a variety of arrangements because of the multiple openings allowingfor engagement with locks 170.

FIG. 2 shows a similar embodiment to FIG. 1 . Tracks 180 can be seenwith locks 170 on the bottom of seat 110. When a user wishes to moveseat 110, locks 170 can be unlocked, detached, and moved elsewhere alongtracks 180 within pallet 150. FIG. 3 shows a closer view of track 180and lock 170. Locks 170 comprises rounded portions that can fit withinthe rounded openings of track 180. A lever 175 can be pulled in order todepress the edges of lock 170 and disengage from the edges of track 180,freeing the seat to be moved. Various locking and attachment mechanismsare available to use in keeping with the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 shows pallets 150 in use on the floor 190 of an aircraft 200. Anaircraft 200 can comprise multiple pallets 150. Tracks 180 can be seenin the pallets 150. Seats can be arranged to face each other fromdifferent floor plates 150, or be arranged to face the same way in rows.Even on a single pallet 150, the seats can be arranged in a variety ofways. The tracks 180 can be arranged in a variety of geometries to allowfor various seat arrangements. FIG. 5 shows another view of the pallets150 and floor 190 of FIG. 4 . Tracks 180 can be seen in pallet 150 thatis attached to floor 190 of aircraft 200.

Increased safety and strength for pallets 150 can be achieve by couplingpallet 150 to a plurality of tension fittings and machined straps thatattach to floor 190 and other structural components of aircraft 200. Aview of machine straps 205 can be seen in FIG. 6 . Bolts 210 can be usedat various parts of machine straps 205 to attach to floor 190 and toother components shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 shows tension fittings andother bracket embodiments beneath floor 190. Keel tension fitting 220can be attached to keel beam 250. Bulk bracket 215 can be attached tobulkhead 260.

Bulk bracket 215 can comprise a modification of the existing bulkhead260 to accommodate keel tension fitting 220. Vertical ribs 230 andhorizontal ribs 245 add increased compressive and shear resistance.Bolts 210 can be used at various points to attach keel tension fitting220, 215 to keel beam 250, bulkhead 260, floor 190, and machine straps205 of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 shows broader view of aircraft 200, showing floor 190, pallet150, bulkhead 260 and keel beams 250. The brackets shown in FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 preferably attach to both keel beams 250, as well as bulkhead260. Various aircraft may have different specific layouts of structuralbeams and structures than the specific layout of bulkhead 260 and keelbeams 250 shown in FIG. 8 . But the teachings of the present disclosurecan be applied across a variety of embodiments. For example, anembodiment of a keel tension fitting 220 is shown in FIG. 9 . Thespecific location of ribs or flanges on keel tension fitting 220 isrelated to the aircraft 200, floor 190, bulkhead 260 and keel beam 250described above. But the specific layout of ribs, flanges, and othercomponents can be varied to different aircraft embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 9 , keel tension fitting 220 comprises a plurality ofbolt holes 211 for use with bolts 210 for attachment to structuralcomponents of aircraft 200 or additional brackets. Vertical ribs 230 addtension and compression strength and horizontal rib 245 add shear andtorsional strength. Floor flange 212 can comprise a plurality of holes211 for attachment to a floor 190 and/or additional brackets. Keelflange 213 can comprise a plurality of holes 211 for attachment to keelbeam 250 and/or additional brackets. Bulkhead flange 216 can comprise aplurality of holes for attachment to the bulkhead 260 and/or additionalbrackets. Vertical flange 217 can comprise a plurality of holes forattachment to keel beam 250 and/or additional brackets.

FIGS. 10 and 11 shows possible embodiments of machine straps 205. Holes211 can receive bolts for attachment to floor 190, additional brackets,or other structural components. Vertical flanges 223, and horizontalflanges 222 can comprise a plurality of holes 211 for attachment tostructural components and/or additional brackets. Machine straps 205 areshown in one embodiment with a specific geometry based on a specificaircraft 200 embodiment. Other specific shapes, number and placement ofholes, number and placement of flanges, and other dimensions arepossible in keeping with the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a possible method embodiment 1200 for securing passengerseats to an aircraft under the present disclosure. Step 1210 is couplinga pallet to an aircraft floor, the pallet comprising a plurality ofreceptacles configured to receive one or more passenger seats andfurther comprising a first attachment means. Step 1220 is coupling akeel tension fitting to a keel beam of the aircraft and to an undersideof the aircraft floor, the keel tension fitting configured to extendalong an edge where the keel tension fitting meets the underside of theaircraft floor. Step 1230 is coupling the keel tension fitting to thepallet using the first attachment means. Step 1240 is coupling the oneor more passenger seats to the pallet.

A further possible embodiment of a keel tension fitting 1380 and pallet1350 can be seen in FIG. 13 . Keel tension fitting 1380 can be coupledto a keel beam (not shown) by a plurality of bolts 1311 in verticalflange 1321 and 1313. Bulkhead flange 1312 and bolts 1311 can be usedfor coupling to a bulkhead (not shown). Horizontal flange 1322 can beused for coupling keel tension fitting 1380 to floor 1390 and pallet1350. Vertical ribs 1330 and horizontal rib 1345 can provide addedstrength against shear and other forces. Seats can be attached to pallet1350 by an appropriate track, receptacle, or any appropriate attachmentmechanisms.

Description of coupling mechanisms between keel tension fittings,pallets, floors, and other brackets has included bolts. But a variety ofcoupling mechanisms are possible. Hex bolts, set screws, shoulder bolts,machine screws, socket screws, clamps, hooks, U-bolts, sauntering,welding, bolts, nuts, screws, hemming, interlocking folds, and othermeans of coupling and attaching are all compatible with the teachings ofthe present disclosure.

The present disclosure has generally been described as a pallet coupledto a top surface of a floor, and a keel tension fitting coupled to thefloor from underneath. However, the floor of an aircraft may comprisemultiple layers or structural components. Coupling a pallet to a floorand to a keel tension fitting may involve coupling (such as with bolts)other layers and additional components together depending on theaircraft. Bolting together the pallet and the keel tension fitting maycreate a “sandwich” with a pallet on top, keel tension fitting onbottom, and multiple components bolted between, including a machinestrap, other brackets, aircraft floor, or other components or brackets.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the present invention.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A seating system for an aircraft comprising: apallet configured to cover at least a portion of an aircraft floor andcomprising; one or more attachment mechanisms configured to be coupledto a seat; and a first one or more holes configured for a first one ormore coupling mechanisms; a keel tension fitting comprising; one or morehorizontal flanges comprising a second one or more holes and configuredto be coupled to a bottom side of the aircraft floor by a second one ormore coupling mechanisms; and one or more vertical flanges comprising athird one or more holes and configured to be coupled to a firststructural element of the aircraft by a third one or more couplingmechanisms; and a machine strap comprising; at least one horizontalflange comprising a fourth one or more holes and configured to becoupled to the aircraft floor, the pallet, and/or the keel tensionfitting by the first, second, and/or third one or more couplingmechanisms; and at least one vertical flange comprising a fifth one ormore holes and configured to be coupled to a second structural elementof the aircraft by a fourth one or more coupling mechanisms.
 22. Theseating system of claim 21 wherein the keel tension fitting comprisesone or more vertical ribs.
 23. The seating system of claim 21 whereinthe keel tension fitting comprises one or more horizontal ribs.
 24. Theseating system of claim 21 wherein the keel tension fitting isconfigured to be coupled to a bulkhead of the aircraft.
 25. The seatingsystem of claim 24 wherein the keel tension fitting is configured to becoupled to the bulkhead by a fifth one or more holes.
 26. The seatingsystem of claim 25 wherein some of the fifth one or more holes arelocated both above and below the at least one of the one or morehorizontal ribs.
 27. The seating system of claim 21 wherein the fifthone or more holes are located both fore and aft of a bulkhead of theaircraft.
 28. A method of securing passenger seats to an aircraft,comprising: providing a pallet comprising a first attachment means;attaching the pallet to an aircraft floor with the first attachmentmeans; coupling a keel tension fitting to a keel beam of the aircraftand to an underside of the aircraft floor, the keel tension fittingconfigured to be coupled to the first attachment means of the pallet;and coupling a machine strap to the aircraft floor and the pallet suchthat the machine strap sits at least partially between the aircraftfloor and the pallet.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the keeltension fitting is further configured to be coupled to a bulkhead of theaircraft.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the keel tension fittingcomprises one or more vertical ribs and one or more horizontal ribs. 31.The method of claim 28, wherein the keel tension fitting comprises avertical flange for coupling to the keel beam and a horizontal flangefor coupling to an underside of the aircraft floor.
 32. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the keel tension fitting is configured to extend bothfore and aft of a bulkhead of the aircraft.
 33. The method of claim 28,wherein the aircraft floor is coupled to the pallet and to the keeltension fitting by the first attachment means.
 34. The method of claim28, wherein the first attachment means comprises one or more bolts. 35.A method of securing one or more passenger seats to an aircraft,comprising: coupling a pallet to an aircraft floor, the palletconfigured to cover at least a portion of an aircraft floor andcomprising; one or more attachment mechanisms configured to be coupledto a seat; and a first one or more holes configured for a first one ormore coupling mechanisms; coupling a keel tension fitting to a firststructural element of the aircraft and to an underside of the aircraftfloor, the keel tension fitting configured to extend along an edge wherethe keel tension fitting meets the underside of the aircraft floor, thekeel tension fitting comprising; one or more horizontal flangescomprising a second one or more holes and configured to be coupled to abottom side of the aircraft floor by a second one or more couplingmechanisms; and one or more vertical flanges comprising a third one ormore holes and configured to be coupled to a first structural element ofthe aircraft by a third one or more coupling mechanisms; coupling thekeel tension fitting to the pallet using the first or second one or morecoupling mechanisms; and coupling a machine strap to a second structuralelement of the aircraft and to the aircraft floor, the machine strapcomprising; at least one horizontal flange comprising a fourth one ormore holes and configured to be coupled to the aircraft floor, thepallet, and/or the keel tension fitting by the first, second, and/orthird one or more coupling mechanisms; and at least one vertical flangecomprising a fifth one or more holes and configured to be coupled to asecond structural element of the aircraft by a fourth one or morecoupling mechanisms; and coupling the one or more passenger seats to thepallet.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the keel tension fitting isconfigured to extend over at least a portion of the keel beam.
 37. Themethod of claim 35, wherein the machine strap sits between the palletand the aircraft floor.
 38. The method of claim 35, wherein coupling themachine strap comprises coupling the machine strap to the keel beam andto a bulkhead of the aircraft.